6/22/13

You can always tell when I'm supposed to be doing housework. Just count the number of blog posts I write in any given day.

Actually, it's Smitty's fault. He was outside and acting all chipper. He was having a hard time keeping his feet on the ground, alternately chasing his own body and leaping three feet into the air for no apparent reason. I decided to go out and take some pictures just to be entertaining. Then, when I went outside, he was nowhere to be found. That probably means he has some furry critter cornered somewhere.

Still, I had my camera with me, and so I took some pictures. Here's what's happening in the garden in June.

Remember the petunias that I planted back in April?

They look like this now.

They aren't quite spilling out over the edges of the pots yet, but they are very close.

Here are some of the other annuals I planted the same day.

And here's how they look today.

We were very surprised to see this little tree rose blooming this year. Our former neighbor gave it to me for my 50th birthday...so nine years ago.

When she gave it to me, we had already taken out our rose bed and traded the roses for culinary herbs. The deer simply wouldn't leave them alone, and I got tired of pruning and tending just so the deer could have a tasty rose petal salad whenever the mood suited them. We planted this little rose, and sure enough, the deer ate it down to nothing within the first week. It kept putting out suckers, but it never bloomed again. We should have dug it up years ago, but just never did. And now....here it is. I guess procrastination has it's virtues.

Let's see. What else? Oh. There are two kinds of lavender in bloom now.

Excellent for making a Bees Knees cocktail. Yum. Think there's one on today's horizon.

Here's how you make it. By the way, I don't bother with the dried lavender blossoms. I just make my simple syrup using the chamomile and lavender blossom tea from The Tao of Tea brand. Any brand will do.

And let's see. I got distracted thinking about the Bees Knees. The iris are pretty much finished, but there is always something new. Also blooming in June:

The dianthus are at their peak.

Sunny gerbera daisies...

The daylilies that Erik and Mae gave me are just starting to open...

The first of the hydrangeas (one of my favorite flowers)...

Foxgloves...

Did I ever tell you my tale of woe about the foxgloves? We had them at our other house. Once you get foxgloves established, they require nothing more of you than a little water every now and then. And they'll thank you if you cut off their dead stalks when they're bloomed out. Anyway, we had them wild in our woods, and I carefully cut off the dry dead stalks and carried them up to the garden where I shook out the seeds trying to get them started up close to the house. I was unsuccessful year after year. Finally, I gave up and purchased some domestic seeds and started them in pots. They grew, but foxgloves are biannuals, and so I really didn't know if they would make it through the winter or not.

Not being a particularly masterful gardener, when winter came, I covered the tiny plants with some dead leaves, hoping it would keep them warm through our cold winter. I had very little hope that it would help, but I did it nonetheless. When spring came, I carefully scraped away the dead and rotting leaves, and there they were! They bloomed and then seeded themselves. I had tiny little plants coming up thick as hair on a dog's back until Mike went through and sprayed them with weed killer. Almost instantly he realized his mistake, and washed them off with the hose. Some died, but enough survived. Now they are well established, and I have my beloved foxgloves. They are a great simple-to-care-for plant for shady areas under trees. Beware if you have small children, however. This is the same plant from which digitalis is derived, the medication cardiac patients use. It is highly toxic to anyone else. Do not use it in cocktails or any other food preparation, okay?

Okay, and I got distracted again. What else? On the fruit front, the cherries are beginning to ripen. Hopefully, the raccoons will leave them alone. One never knows.

The deer came through and mowed all the leaves off the strawberry plants.

On the other hand, it does make finding ripe strawberries a lot easier.

I popped this little honey into my mouth right after I took this picture. Either that, or leave it for the critters: birds, squirrels, raccoons. Take your pick.

So that's about it. Now about that housework.........

I can probably figure out something else to write about if I work real hard at it.

It would be a shame to not enjoy your garden on such a pretty day. Your photos are gorgeous. The housework will always be there. As long as Mike's not disturbed by what's out of place, maybe you could just give yourself a weekend?

The petunias are beautiful. I have been gone for a week. Our Granddaughter took care of the cats and watered the tomato plant. I was surprised to see it is over 2 foot tall. Lots of blooms, but no tomatos!

I really do love to walk around your garden Barbara and I have to say it is looking quite sensational at the moment. I love the "blue" pertunias (quite stunning) and of course lavender is one of my all time favourites as is Hydrangea (oh, alright....they are all my favourite!) Just need to warn you that day lilies are deadly poisonous for cats. I only found out about this recently and it is as simple as them getting some pollen on their fur and then grooming themselves. Please be vigilant. Google it to read more.

Wow! Your garden is wonderful!!! I love seeing all the floral pictures, especially since we don't have all that many around our place - most of the plants are palms ... 2000+ of the darn'd things!! Cleaning up their discarded fronds is a 3hr weekly activity!! ... Also feeling a little envious over the fact that you can grow foxgloves there - we're not in the right climate unfortunately.

You put a big smile on my face seeing your beautiful garden of flowers. I'm jealous because I don't have a green thumb, my Mom did but it didn't make it to me. Hydrangea's are my favorite flower and I have some by my front door. I haven't killed them and that's a good thing. Roses are my second favorite flower and I have 6 different bushes, some are tea roses that were given to me and I planted them outside and off they went. I have a Julia Child rose bush also and a Gemini rose. I'm a gemini and I've met Julia Child. I'm blessed.Thanks for sharing, you always brighten my day.

I agree with Cath - love to "walk" around your garden with you. :DHopefully you'll get to taste your cherries this year. How was the strawberry? You're always saying that Oregon strawberries are the best.